Talk about irony...

[SkiDork]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/04/new.york.motorcyclist.death/index.html?hpt=hp_p1&iref=NS1

(CNN) -- A bareheaded motorcyclist participating in a ride to protest mandatory helmet laws was killed when he was thrown over the handlebars in Onondaga, New York.

...

State police say evidence at the scene plus information from the attending medical expert indicated Contos would have survived had he been wearing a helmet as required by state law.

 

[o3jeff]

Lol, that'll learn them!

 

[ctenidae]

Pretty sure there's a considerably deeper philosophical point to the protest, but yeah.

 

[bvibert]

Pretty sure there's a considerably deeper philosophical point to the protest, but yeah.

Agreed.

Ironic, yes, but also tragic. I don't think there's anything to be laughing at.

I personally think it's stupid to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but if that's what someone wants to do then let them have at it.

 

[hammer]

I personally think it's stupid to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but if that's what someone wants to do then let them have at it.

Agree with one caveat...if the rider without a helmet gets into an accident then his/her ability to sue for injuries is limited because he/she decided not to make use of proven safety equipment.

Same thing goes for seat belts as well.

 

[bvibert]

Agree with one caveat...if the rider without a helmet gets into an accident then his/her ability to sue for injuries is limited because he/she decided not to make use of proven safety equipment.

Same thing goes for seat belts as well.

I thought about that before I posted, but I'm not so sure I agree. If someone is injured and it's not their fault then why should they be limited in seeking compensation?

 

[hammer]

I thought about that before I posted, but I'm not so sure I agree. If someone is injured and it's not their fault then why should they be limited in seeking compensation?

In the case where the injuries would have been limited if the safety equipment were used, I think that the compensation should also be limited.

I realize that this can be a touchy subject, but it goes beyond simple stupidity when people don't wear helmets and/or seat belts and then expect someone else to pay if they get into an accident and then get severely injured because of it. You want the freedom to choose, go ahead, just don't make me (or anyone else) pay more for your mistake...

 

[Riverskier]

In the case where the injuries would have been limited if the safety equipment were used, I think that the compensation should also be limited.

I realize that this can be a touchy subject, but it goes beyond simple stupidity when people don't wear helmets and/or seat belts and then expect someone else to pay if they get into an accident and then get severely injured because of it. You want the freedom to choose, go ahead, just don't make me (or anyone else) pay more for your mistake...

That is an interesting point and one I had never really thought about before. I am firmly against ANY law protecting me from myself. However, should one person's stupidity be able to cause somebody else undue financial harm? Not sure how I feel about that honestly.

 

[Nick]

Agreed.

Ironic, yes, but also tragic. I don't think there's anything to be laughing at.

I personally think it's stupid to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but if that's what someone wants to do then let them have at it.

I agree too. Just don't expect anyone to pick up the tab when you crack your skull. I wouldn't do it but don't think it should be illegal or anything.

 

[bvibert]

In the case where the injuries would have been limited if the safety equipment were used, I think that the compensation should also be limited.

I realize that this can be a touchy subject, but it goes beyond simple stupidity when people don't wear helmets and/or seat belts and then expect someone else to pay if they get into an accident and then get severely injured because of it. You want the freedom to choose, go ahead, just don't make me (or anyone else) pay more for your mistake...

I'm still not sure how I feel about it, but I tend to lean towards your side of the argument.

Still you have to wonder how far one should be required to go to protect themselves from other people's mistakes. Leather racing suits and other abrasion resistant clothing are known to reduce road rash in the event of a fall. Should compensation be limited if the rider was not wearing one of those too? I believe such equipment is mandated in some countries, maybe even some states?

If there is another party at fault then it can be argued that the motorcyclist would not have sustained any injuries had the at fault driver not caused the crash, no matter what the motorcyclist was wearing.

What about someone driving a small convertible car, should their ability to collect compensation be limited if they're not wearing a helmet and a crash causes the car to roll over? What about a roll cage? That could have made a bigger difference than a helmet in either case... Where does it end? Do we all need to be driving around in big heavy vehicles with huge impact zones and roll cages, while wearing nomex suits and helmets??? Surely driving around with anything less will considerably increase the possibility of injury....

That's my bit of devil's advocate for the day. I've never ridden a motorcycle, so take what I say for what its worth (not much )

 

[deadheadskier]

unfortunately, we are all tied together by the insurance world.

Our individual financial obligations to insurance are not only based upon our own choices and actions.

I tend to side with Hammer on this one, but agree that it's a slippery slope.

 

[darent]

I thought about that before I posted, but I'm not so sure I agree. If someone is injured and it's not their fault then why should they be limited in seeking compensation?

because they are a dumb *ss, even though it wasn't their fault, they might not have needed medical attention or been injured if they had the helmet on. the medical profession loves the helmetless riders- young foolish organ donors

 

[snoseek]

Wow...yeah, he showed them.....